The defeat in the War Game instantly dismantled the Apollo Familia of over a hundred members. A mid-tier Familia disappeared from Orario almost without a trace.
Most of the Familia members gained their freedom and had almost no attachment to Apollo. They either returned to their hometowns, rejoined their original Familias, or registered under a neutral god, becoming lone wolves.
In the end, only the die-hard fanatic Hyakinthos, barely clinging to life, was exiled with Apollo. Not a single person from the massive Familia was willing to follow them.
The desolate figures of the pair as they left Orario, never to return, evoked sighs of pity. This incident also served as a warning to the gods: Forcing people to join a Familia would not end well.
All of the Apollo Familia's assets were transferred to the Astraea Familia. The Apollo Familia, which had been operating for years, had over thirty million Valis in cash alone, with total assets amounting to roughly one hundred million Valis.
Apollo's mansion was filled with his bad taste, covered in his statues. Roy and Astraea didn't want to waste time cleaning it up, nor did they want to live there. The Starry Garden was sufficient as a base.
So, the luxurious mansion was sold directly.
There was more than enough money to pay off the Familia's debts, and their finances suddenly became abundant. It made one realize that fighting against the wealthy was indeed the most convenient way to make money.
For the gods, the entertainment was satisfying.
Although they hadn't uncovered the secret behind Roy's rapid growth, they did see many excellent things:
Status values that could rival a Level 3 while only being Level 2, a mysterious gauntlet, and No-Chant Magic...
The young man himself was a treasure trove, and the gods were already preparing their "Roy Observation Journals," wondering what else they might uncover in the future.
People briefly reviewed the situation and realized a terrifying fact: in a very short time, the Astraea Familia had dismantled two other Familias.
Even after the demise of the original Astraea Familia and the significant reduction in its personnel, Justice had not disappeared; instead, it had become more... ruthless?!
Mercenary groups and merchant companies involved with the Dark Faction shivered in fear.
When Aiz Wallenstein and her companions were around, they would, at most, be beaten up and thrown into the prison established by the Ganesha Familia.
In Roy's generation, however, things resulted in potential deaths and the annihilation of entire Familias. The style was completely different!
In fact, history proved that harsh penalties in troubled times made sense. The cloud of gloom that had hung over Orario since the Great Conflict two years ago showed signs of dissipating.
Ordinary people could feel the revitalization.
The number of adventurer brawls on the streets decreased, as people feared attracting the "Calamity Star" Roy.
The Guild was both happy and worried.
In Orario, Familias were divided into different ranks and paid taxes to the Guild. Losing a mid-tier Familia meant a loss of income.
However, from another perspective, it was a good thing. Roy's battle had inspired countless adventurers.
A passionate era was sure to follow, and the progress of Dungeon exploration would increase.
Some worried, and some rejoiced. Roy and his companions were undoubtedly joyful, having achieved a great victory.
"A toast to the victory of the War Game!"
A small celebratory banquet was being held at the Starry Garden. Not many people attended: Hermes, Asfi, Shakti, and several other goddesses who were good friends with Astraea—all of them beautiful goddesses.
"Little Roy~"
"When will you come over to play with us?"
The goddesses' eyes were filled with hearts as they surrounded Roy, practically wanting to strip him of his clothes.
Their enthusiasm was almost unbearable for Roy.
"Little Roy, that was a truly brilliant battle! Now, no one can say that the justice of the Astraea Familia has vanished!" Hermes chuckled.
Just like Roy's alias, it was also the hope of the gods: that the new bud would grow vigorously, eventually becoming a towering tree that sheltered the weak.
Goddess Astraea also seemed to be in a good mood. "Though we'll be getting busy soon."
Busy?
Roy escaped the goddesses surrounding him and looked at Goddess Astraea with a puzzled expression.
After finishing the War Game and paying off the Familia's debt, this should have been the most relaxing time.
Astraea seemed to sense Roy's confusion. "These two children want to join us."
As she spoke, two girls peeked in from outside the door. Astraea walked over and pulled them in.
They were Daphne and Cassandra, who had regained their freedom. With the dissolution of the Apollo Familia and nowhere else to go, they chose to join the Astraea Familia.
The two said solemnly, "Astraea-sama, please allow us to join your Familia!"
"Of course!"
Astraea agreed immediately.
Daphne had been severely beaten by Hyakinthos in an abuse of power, nearly killed, yet she didn't reveal Roy's plan.
Cassandra, when her friend was injured, found Roy for help despite the danger to herself.
Their courage was respectable. How could Astraea refuse such excellent children?
"That's wonderful!"
The two girls' faces lit up, and they happily hugged each other. Daphne's injuries hadn't fully healed, and the pain made her gasp, yet she was crying and laughing simultaneously.
Astraea looked at Ryuu, who was acting as a server. "Ryuu, I leave these two children in your care. Help them quickly become competent adventurers."
"Understood!"
The Elven girl's face was serious. With more newcomers joining the Familia, as the only veteran member, she felt obligated to look after them, at least to revive the Familia...
At this moment, the Familia newcomers were happy, the gods were delighted to see the Astraea Familia grow, the Elven girl was content to have a new goal, and Goddess Astraea was, needless to say, pleased.
Only Roy's mood was complicated. Damn it!
Ryuu would be taking care of Daphne and Cassandra? She was my Level 4 hired gun for running dungeons!
Looking at Goddess Astraea's bright and flawless face, There's a cunning god in this Familia!
"Heh heh!"
Goddess Astraea's mood was quite the opposite. Roy's long face made her smile faintly.
Roy hadn't consulted her, unilaterally plotting against the Apollo Familia, which ultimately triggered the War Game.
She had kept a meticulous account of that debt.
The Familia debt was originally just a way for her to distract Ryuu, to keep her from being solely focused on revenge. Now that the debt was gone, she naturally had to find something else for Ryuu to do. Reviving the Familia—what a wonderful goal!
A boomerang had smacked Roy hard.
Roy's original intention, after spending a week mastering his Level 2 power, was to eliminate the Apollo Familia, pay off the Familia debt as quickly as possible, and then continue running dungeons.
The Apollo Familia was eliminated, and the debt was repaid, but his Level 4 hired gun had been snatched away.
Bitter wine flowing down, hurting the heart. Gulp, gulp, gulp!
Astraea went off to chat with the other goddesses. Hermes sidled up to Roy and chuckled, "Little Roy, do you know about the Three Great Adventurer Quests?"
Roy gave him an odd look. What are you trying to do?